Which of the following actions demonstrates respect for patient privacy?

The action that demonstrates respect for patient privacy is talking about a patient's care with the patient only. This approach ensures that the patient is the primary recipient of information related to their health, maintaining confidentiality and honoring their autonomy. By restricting discussions about care solely to the patient, healthcare providers safeguard sensitive information, adhering to ethical standards and legal regulations like HIPAA, which emphasize the importance of protecting patient privacy.

Other options may compromise patient privacy in various ways. Discussing a patient’s condition with family members can breach confidentiality if the patient has not given consent. Documenting patient data in medical records is a necessary practice for providing care, but it must be handled with strict confidentiality and access controls to respect privacy. Sharing patient details during research generally necessitates informed consent and confidentiality measures; without these, it can infringe upon patient rights. Thus, engaging solely with the patient about their care is the clearest expression of respect for their privacy.